Greenwood's Urias wants to 'play like crazy'

Published 6:30 pm, Monday, February 20, 2012

Edgar Urias looks to pass the ball during practice on Jan. 11 at Greenwood High School. Cindeka Nealy/Reporter-Telegram

Edgar Urias looks to pass the ball during practice on Jan. 11 at Greenwood High School. Cindeka Nealy/Reporter-Telegram

Photo: Cindeka Nealy

Greenwood's Urias wants to 'play like crazy'

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Just go crazy.

It's a state of mind Greenwood senior Edgar Urias likes to utilize on the basketball floor, and it's a type of focus Urias' coach encourages.

The Rangers (23-10) hope Urias can go crazy enough to help lead them to victory when they open the Class 3A playoffs with a bi-district matchup against Clint Mountain View (14-15) at 7:30 p.m. today at Fort Stockton High School gym.

But Greenwood coach Jay Ray isn't really too worried about Urias finding a way to contribute on the floor. That's because the senior guard is determined to find a way to chip in no matter what the circumstances may be.

"My role is to do what coach tells me and that's play like crazy," Urias said. "Whether that's on defense being everywhere I can or if I'm having a good night on offense then that's where it's going to be. Pretty much where ever I can help out. Where ever coach plugs me I'm going to do my best."

Ray describes Urias -- a three-year starter at Greenwood -- as a catalyst for what the Rangers do on both ends of the floor. The senior guard is leading the Rangers in scoring this season with 8.7 points per game, but is averaging around 6 points per game over the last couple of weeks. But that's hasn't prevented him from continuing to make a huge difference.

"Edgar has been a staple in our program for the last three years," Ray said. "He plays the game the right way. He's a team player who always looks to do whatever he can do to make his teammates successful.

"He's the catalyst defensively and the catalyst offensively. Even when he's not scoring, he's doing other things correctly, getting other players involved. He's one of those guys you have to game plan around, even if he's not scoring."

And while most players want nothing more than to put the ball in the bucket, it doesn't bother Urias if he's not scoring in bundles. That is on one condition.

"As long as we keep winning," Urias said with a smile. "I'm not the type of guy who is going to sit there and whine if I'm not doing good on offense. I let my defense turn into my offense most of the time. Scoring isn't my priority."

Urias also leads the Rangers with 2.7 steals and 1.9 assists per game, proving exactly what his priority is for his role on the floor.

"Defense is my priority. I just like the thrill of it," Urias said. "I can go out and just kind of freestyle and make something happen."

The Rangers try to be fast paced on both ends of the floor, hoping their full-court press can force turnovers and lead to easy baskets in fast break situations. It's a system that fits Urias perfectly.

"Our style of basketball is uptempo and Edgar strives in it," Ray said. "He loves to run the floor, make the steal or make the dish. We've been pressing all year long and he's able to get up there and make things happen."

It's a style of play Urias plans to keep playing for a few more weeks and the Rangers attempt to prolong their season.

"I expect our hard work to continue to pay off," Urias said. "This team works way harder than any team I've ever been a part of. That's something we always pride ourselves on.

"Having such great teammates, there's not much need for leadership. Everyone knows their roles. As long as we go out on a nightly basis and execute, we should go far."

A deep playoff run could lead Urias to playing at his craziest level yet.